Water, Wastewater And Stormwater: Hallandale Beach Needs Over $230 Million Dollars For Its Projects By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper January 26, 2023 Share Over the past few articles, I have been updating our residents on our Infrastructure Projects. In all there is a current need of over $230 Million Dollars in projects that must be completed to secure our Water, Wastewater and Stormwater needs. These projects will span over many years and will be funded from Revenue Bonds, GO Bonds and other Funds secured through Government Grants. $181 Million Dollars in costs are planned to be paid for by Revenue Bonds and the rest will come to voters in the form of a GO Bond. It needs to be noted that the cost of construction has increased so these projections will vary depending on future cost increases or decreases. At the last meeting, we adopted a Budget Amendment to authorize moving forward with $53 Million Dollars in Revenue Bonds to pay for the repair and replacement of many of our Lift Stations, Underground Water Pipes and expanded Water Resources. The planned projects will be spread over different areas depending on the critical need and age. Over the past year, we have adopted these projects into our 5-year Capital Improvement Plan and have adopted rate increases. Rate increases will also be phased in over the years as projects come online. This coming year we have authorized an additional rate study to fine tune the process. Our Finance Staff has been working alongside a consultant that specializes in this type of borrowing. In March we will be receiving the updated study. I understand that many residents, in particular our condominium owners, are going through their own 40 and 50 Year Inspections. Our process is similar in that these projects are not wanted, they are needed. Like many condos, the previous Commission kicked the can down the road. For five years, due to changes in management and Commissions, many projects sat on the shelf. We sympathize with struggling residents but like Assessments these rate increases are a requirement to fix the City. Last year we received the great news that as part of helping communities in South Florida the Governor authorized Direct Grants to a handful of communities that had projects ready to do. Hallandale Beach received over $15 Million Dollars towards our Lift Stations. These types of Grants do help but will not pay for all our needs. We continue to apply for every Grant possible and every Federal Program. Dr. Jeremy Earle our City Manager has put together an amazing group of professionals who have worked righting many wrongs of the past. Thankfully we have a great Commission which I would like to say is shenanigan FREE and laser focused on making sure we provide oversight and direction to keep our City moving forward. Last meeting, we also kept a promise to our residents to evaluate our on street parking program. This project was controversial during the last Election. We know that anything new and especially with a price tag will not be a fan favorite. We actually discussed and worked on the program many times before it was approved unanimously last year. Since then the program has been successful in addressing many parking complaints that we heard about in the past. We stopped the storage of resident’s vehicles, over parking of vacation rentals, trailer storage, commercial vehicle storage, many of which were not even from our City. These changes freed up spots for our residents. The program does have various rates for Residential and Nonresidential Parking depending on the location. A monthly pass runs $30 Dollars a day. There were some false statements made during the Election that need to be addressed. The first was that there is paid parking at our parks. This is not true. There is paid parking on the City streets around some of our parks. Parks that have parking lots are open and FREE. We charge for on street around the parks to address the same problems we have had around the City. Also we are not the only city that has parking programs. Many cities including Hollywood, Pompano, Wilton Manors and Dania all have programs. One area that I and some of my colleagues were concerned about was for home service providers particularly nurses and care providers having to pay Visitor Rates. The new proposals would provide for a Discount Rate for what will be called Workforce Pass. It will allow for businesses needing to park for employees and service providers. We will also be working with developers and their tradesmen to provide parking arrangements. This will stop swale storage and other issues created during construction. We are also changing Beach Parking to Flat Rate Parking to $5 Dollars per hour. This will help stimulate turnover at the parks. The City will be bringing back these changes and adopting a new Parking Ordinance that will reflect State Laws. As a note State Law provides 4 hours of FREE Handicapped Parking on the street and 100 percent FREE Disabled Veterans Parking. Some cities do not provide FREE Parking for Disabled off the street in their lots. I support 4 hours FREE. This would impact beach lots as we do not charge for other parking lots. This issue was debated but not voted on. When ordinance comes back we will be discussing it and also incorporating stronger Scoff Laws. As always, I am available for your questions, concerns and ideas to help make our City a better place. Please feel free to reach out to my Office at: (954) 457-1318. On my Cell/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or Email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . < Previous News Next News >

Celebrating The Cadet of the Year: Dedicated To Academics, Leadership, Service and School Involvement Thu Jun 16 2022 04:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

It's All About Community: From Infrastructure To The MLK Celebration Residents Are Working Together By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper January 19, 2023 Share Over the past two weeks I have been writing about our City’s plan to address our underground Infrastructure. It is not a surprise that these projects are a major expense. A good example of just how expensive they are is our 14th Avenue/ Southwest Drainage Improvements. Thanks to a joint lobbying effort between staff, Congresswoman Wasserman-Shultz, our DC Lobbyist Maurice Kurland and myself, we received over $20 Million Dollars to build the pumping systems. These Funds were combined with City Funds and CRA Funds to complete the projects. Another is the addition to our Water Plant to ensure access to safe drinking water. To add one skid to process and filter water costs $6 Million Dollars. The main way to pay for water projects is through Revenue Bonds. The City evaluates the needs and then models our rate structure to allow for repayment. A few years ago, there was an increase in rates that provided for revenue bonds. The City has been working to advance over $53 Million Dollars in projects. As of the writing of this article, our City will be presented with more fine-tuned data to go out for bonds. Revenue Bonds are not the sole source of funding. Our Staff continues to apply for grants. We apply for all types of Grants. To date, excluding 19 allocated from the state for COVID-19 we have applied for $40 Million Dollars in Grants. The amount of our largest Grant to date was from the State for $15 Million Dollars to address our Wastewater Lift Stations. This allocation was one of the largest directly to a city. We were already contracted to do the work and it was in design. This proactive planning helped us to secure the Grants. Another was for $2 Million Dollars, also for water projects. We will continue to do all we can to acquire Grants to address our needs. Many are competitive so they are not guaranteed. This year we have already begun to increase Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Rates. We understand that many residents are being faced with expenses from 40 Year and 50 Year Inspections and insurance increases. Just like condominiums and households we have to address our aging Infrastructure. Another question I receive is about development. All developers must pay impact fees when they create demands. They pay for Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Transportation, Parks, Schools, Affordable Housing and other impacts up front. No one gets a free pass. Next week I will go into what was presented at our last Commission Meeting. This past Monday we held the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. It was the first since COVID-19. This event and parade are sponsored in partnership with the Community Civic Association. President Qunea Gordon Former Candidate for Commission and Hallandale Beach born and raised, took the reins of CCC and did a fabulous job fundraising and organizing the events that day. She led Terri Baker who recruited vendors, Keena Johnson Former President who helped with vendor setup and of course our great parks staff led by Director Cathy Schanz. It was great seeing many of our staff members out and walking in the parade. Commissioner Lazarow, City Manager Dr. Earle, Assistant City Manager Sharon Ragoonan, Deputy Director of our CRA Faith Phinn and the CRA team all joined together and walked the parade route. The parade started at BJ James Park and continued to Hallandale Beach Boulevard west to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Northwest 8th Avenue to OB Johnson Park. There were many wonderful participants. Miss Senior Florida Wanetta “Vanessa” Massey who was born and raised in Hallandale Beach, Joanne Simpson, Senior Olympian Gloria Stoner 2022 Broward County Pioneer and Past Treasurer of CCC longstanding resident and Pastor Allen representing the Ebenezer Baptist Church’s Food Pantry. The Food Pantry and all of the volunteers were recognized as the MLK Humanitarian Organization Of The Year. The church has been hosting the pantry for over 35 years. They provide food but also serve hot meals for those in need. I had the chance to speak during the ceremony. The theme was all about the Children. We often forget while we are caught up in our own politics and beliefs how hatred is impacting the next generation. We need to realize that individually we all have the power to share light and knowledge. To speak up against hatred. It was wonderful to have both Principal Campbell for Gulfstream Academy K-8 and Principal Howard for Hallandale High School join in the event and speak about the future and unity to help raise the next generation of leaders. I look forward to continuing to serve and keeping our residents informed. As always, I am available for your questions, concerns and ideas to help make our City a better place. Please feel free to reach out to my office at: (954) 457-1318. On my cell/text at: (954) 632-5700. Or email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . < Previous News Next News >

Provide Your Pet With A Stress-Free Thanksgiving Thu Nov 23 2023 17:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Medicare and Social Security: Safety Nets are Enormously Important To Our Seniors By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper November 8, 2022 Share Last week, President Biden visited South Florida and chose Hallandale Beach as one of his stops to discuss policy. It was not an open public event. It was arranged by Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and the White House staff. Actually, it was pretty last minute. After I received the call on Friday, I was not even sure if I would be able to get back from Tampa in time. Our City Staff led by Chief Michel Michel, Parks Director Cathy Schanz and Human Services Director Cora Daise were the leads on our side. They worked tirelessly over the weekend with the Secret Service to ensure the entire facility was set up. Staging was set up in the Gymnasium. Two exterior entrances were set up with tents and clearance tables. One in the back off of 6th Street specifically was for the President. The senior auditorium was set up for his first entrance. This was for Elected Officials and special invited guests. I need to make sure everyone knows our Staff had nothing to do with setting up the list. Ironically, I was originally not sure if I could make it and was not on the list that morning. Obviously, as Mayor I was added. There were approximately 30 VIPs that had the chance to meet the President. He really wanted to see the Staff at our Hepburn Center who had their own private meeting. He wanted to specifically thank them for their work with our seniors. If you read my column last week, I wrote about President Biden's Infrastructure Policy as that is what I understood he was to be discussing. Late Monday, I received a briefing on his presentation which was a focus on Protecting and Strengthening Medicare and Social Security. There is one true benefit of being involved with the Elected Office for 20 years. I have a good memory when it comes to policy fights on key issues in DC. As I wrote last week about trying for years to get meaningful investments and Infrastructure. In 2009, under President Obama's cities were celebrating as we finally had direct money through the EECBG Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. In 2021, as part of the BiPartisan Bill, this was renewed along with the major Infrastructure Programs. Ironically, a year before the first EECBG there was a push under President Bush to privatize Social Security. Then and now, like many other Elected Officials, this would be disastrous for our seniors and those disabled that depend on this income. During that same period, the U.S. was faced with the subprime debacle that put many financial institutions out of business. In 2008, the Housing Crash was a true crisis. Could you imagine if Social Security dollars were put in the hands of the private companies? I am bringing this up as it was one of the points of President Biden's speech. There is a push now once again to gut many laws by the newly appointed Rick Scott leader of the Republican Senatorial Committee. Cloaked in a Senate Plan to rewrite every law after 5 years, originally wanting 3, Medicare and Social Security would be on a chopping block. “All Federal Legislation sunsets in 5 years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again. I do not know about you, but I have worked since I was 15 years old. I have paid into Social Security. I am looking forward to receiving my check when I retire. I certainly do not want it to disappear. Remember this is often the only income retirees and those that cannot work have. This issue is especially important to watch in the next few years. In addition, Medicare Programs will also be one of those laws. Over the past two years whether you are a Republican or a Democrat as a senior, the Inflation Reduction Act has truly helped you. The biggest win was to cap the cost of Insulin to $35 Dollars. It only costs around $10 Dollars to produce. In addition, seniors will have additional FREE Vaccines including Shingles which cost as much as $200 Dollars per dose. Out of pocket drug costs for seniors will be capped at $2000 Dollars Annually. Any drug company that increases their cost on drugs more than the rate of inflation will be fine with fines going into the Medicare Program. Medicare also will have the authority to negotiate drug prices. These types of safety nets are enormously important to our seniors and new laws that help put money back into their budgets. I occasionally have discussions with families about these issues. The discussion always comes down to, “What about fraud and exploiting the system?” There are problems, but as the saying goes you do not throw the baby out with the bath water. There needs to be better policing of these programs. Either way these two big items will be key issues in the coming years. They need to be funded or both are facing insolvency. Let us all hope like last year when the BiPartisan Recovery Act passed a solution that can be found. We can all hopefully enjoy quiet now that this Election Cycle is over. As of the writing of this article the Election still has a few more days. If it is a close Election, our local results may not be certified for some time. Looking forward to reporting what passed and who was Elected in next week’s article. As always, feel free to reach out to me with your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City a better place! I can be reached 24/7/365 at my office number: (954) 457-1318. On my cell / text at: (954) 632-5700. Or E-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org . < Previous News Next News >

One Person’s Trash Is Another’s Treasure: American Pickers To Film In Florida And They Are Looking For Their Next Find September 22, 2022 Share The American Pickers are excited to return to Florida! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel Hit Television series throughout the area in December 2022. For those of you that don’t follow the show, American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them. This isn’t your grandmother’s antiquing. The American Pickers, Mike Wolfe, Robbie Wolfe and Danielle Colby are on a mission to recycle America, even if it means diving into countless piles of grimy junk or getting chased off a gun-wielding homeowner’s land. Hitting back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers earn a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person’s trash into another’s treasure. The show follows the team as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories. If you think the antique business is all about upscale boutiques and buttoned-up dealers, this show may change your mind – and teach you a thing or two about American history along the way. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. Mike Wolfe A lifelong American picker, Mike Wolfe has been searching for hidden treasures since he was four years old. Over the years, he’s earned a reputation as one of the country’s foremost foragers, traveling coast to coast in search of rusty gold. Where other people see dilapidated barns and overgrown yards, Wolfe sees the beauty of long-lost things and the stories of the people who made them, used them and somehow saved them. Wolfe spends as much time as he can on the road, “A picker’s kind of like a nomad,” he explains and for Wolfe, the people he meets and the tales they tell are an integral part of the journey—ultimately as valuable as the rare finds he unearths in their barns, attics and sheds. What exactly does Wolfe look for? “Anything I can make a buck on,” he laughs. But truly, he looks for things with a story; things that fill in some of the blanks in the everyday history of America. That could be anything from antique baby carriages and vintage jukeboxes to old cars and peeling metal advertising signs. Both locations of "Antique Archaeology," his specialty shop that sells antiques, vintage items and folk art, have become top tourist destinations in Le Claire, Iowa and Nashville, Tennessee. But after his family, his full-time passion is preserving as much of small-town America as he can, finding old buildings throughout the Midwest and the Mid-South that can be reclaimed, restored and reinvigorated, breathing new life into the main streets where he grew up. Robbie Wolfe Ever since Robbie Wolfe can remember, he’s lived by the famous words, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” Since the age of eight, Robbie has been rummaging through garages and old barns to find what he calls “unknown treasures.” His life’s passion focuses on the fact that “people throw away untold history every day” and he finds “joy in restoring what once was a part of someone else’s life story.” Over the years, Robbie has accumulated a wide collection of old Americana, vintage cars and advertising memorabilia. On “American Pickers,” he enjoys discovering one-of-a-kind relics and sharing their untold stories with viewers. Danielle Colby Best known as the Shop Manager on HISTORY’s “American Pickers,” Danielle Colby is a lover and collector of all things vintage. You can find Danielle overseeing the Antique Archaeology stores in Iowa and Nashville, scouting new, exciting picks and as always, keeping Mike in line! An Iowa native, Danielle currently spends her free time in Puerto Rico, continuing to aid in the rebuilding of the island while dedicating her time to orphanages, animal shelters and raising awareness on the human-trafficking crisis. Danielle has amassed an extensive Vintage Costume Collection ranging from Circus Costumes to early 1800’s Burlesque Costumes. She continues to unearth forgotten histories of people and objects from all over the world. Danielle is drawn to anything that tells a story! Be A Part Producers at American Pickers continue to take the Pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the State and the CDC. Nevertheless, they are excited to continue reaching the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking and are eager to hear their memorable stories! The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasures. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, they would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers DO NOT pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or anything open to the public. If you are interested, please send them your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com . Or call: (646) 493-2184. < Previous News Next News >

Get Involved! Help Shape The Future of Hallandale Beach August 5, 2021 Share The City of Hallandale Beach Boards and Committees provide non-binding strategic advice/recommendations to the City Commission The City of Hallandale Beach invites you to get involved on matters relating to our community, by volunteering on a board and/or committee. Volunteers are needed to serve in advisory capacity for the Boards and Committees of the City of Hallandale Beach. Members of Boards and Committees are appointed by the City Commission. In general, the Boards and Committees meet, research and report their findings and recommendations to the City Commission on their assigned topics. Here is the current list of Boards & Committees vacancies for those of you, who would like to help shape the future of Hallandale Beach: Beach Preservation Advisory Board - 2 Vacancies The Beach Preservation Board shall endeavor the following: Public Education related to Preservation and Renourishment; as well as related to Boating, Fishing, Water Sports, Public Education, Information and Recommendations related to Dredging, Resource Protection and Management, Promotion of Marine related activities, review, research and recommendation related to Marine related facilities, review, research and recommendations related to water safety, signage, health, safety issues, identify conditions of waterways and needed corrections, including a potential study of the most feasible and economical method of maintaining the depths of waterways within the city, review, research and provide recommendations related to Board and Shoreline Preservation, Beach Erosion, Beach Cleanliness, Dune Preservation, and rising sea levels, review, research and provide recommendations related to water safety, signage, health and safety issues, conditions of waterways and needed corrections, including a study of the most feasible and economical methods of maintaining the depths of the waterways, within the City. After the Board's research is completed, you will provide recommendations regarding the following: Operation of privately owned Marinas, operation of Small Boat Docking Areas, Hurricane Procedures, Instructional Schools, relations with the Coast Guard, Regulations of Waterskiing, Surfboarding, Kite-Boarding, Parasailing and similar activities, operation of the Excursion Boats, operations of the Charter Fishing Fleet, Regulation of Boat Docking, regulation of Water and Boat Shows, Boat Races, Service operation of City Marinas, Boat Launching, Docks, etc., Traffic conditions under bridges, Sanitation problems and proposed laws governing effluents from boats, Federal and State regulations affecting Waterways and Marine activity. The Board shall meet a minimum of once every six weeks and provide recommendations or a report to the City Commission, at the Board’s discretion. Beautification Advisory Board 1 Vacancy: The Board advises and recommends to the City Commission actions relating to the overall appearance of the City, long range plans for beautification projects and other matters, which may be referred to the Board by the City Commission. Education Advisory Board - 2 Vacancies: The Board advises the City Commission on programs and resources opportunities for the City to partner with the schools, recommend actions to support education facilities, increase interactions and coordinations between local school’s businesses. HBCRA Quadrant Safety Board - 3 Vacancies: The Quadrant Safety Board (QSB) is designed to foster communications, between the Police and the community that they serve. The QSB allows residents in each of the HBCRA quadrants to have a voice in the development of safety measures in their community, as well as increase access to the City's Staff, their expertise, possibly acquiring funding to Finance Redevelopment projects to specifically address safety concerns in their specific Quadrants. Historic Preservation Board - 1 Vacancy: The Board shall recommend Designation, Regulation, Administration of Aesthetic, Archaeological, Architectural, Cultural, Historical and Paleontological Resources within the City. Make recommendations to the City Commission for adoption or amendment to rules, procedures that are reasonably necessary and appropriate for the proper administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Section. Recommend Designation of Individual Sites, Districts, Archaeological and Paleontological Zones to the City Commission, for issuance or denial of Special Certificates of Appropriateness and Certificates to dig from the City Commission. Establish, maintain and update guidelines for Preservation and Criteria for the issuance by Staff of regular Certificates of Appropriateness. Approve Historic Markers and provide other recognition for Individual Sites, Districts and Zones. Promote the awareness of Historic Preservation and its community benefits. Establish, review and update the City’s Historic Survey. Identify sources of Historic Records pertaining to the City. Serve as central collection point for donation of Historic Documents, pertaining to the City. Archive, Catalogue and maintain all Historic documents of the City. Parks And Recreation Advisory Board - 4 Vacancies: The Board shall make Recommendations concerning the operation of all Public Parks, Playgrounds, Undeveloped Park Lands, Public beaches and other recreational facilities within the City. Recommend to the City Commission and the City Manager from time to time actions which it believes the City Commission should take with reference to the Acquisition, Development, Maintenance of Parks, Playgrounds and Recreational Facilities in the City. Recommend rules and regulations for the operation of City Parks, Playgrounds and Public Recreational Facilities. Sustainability And Flood Mitigation Advisory Board - 2 Vacancies: The Board assists the City Commission to Identify and recommend affordable strategies associated with resource and ecosystem conservation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Research Environmentally Sound Practices that will reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, save money, energy and resources. Promote the use of methods, systems and materials that do not deplete Natural Land, Water and Energy Resources or Harmful Natural Cycles (i.e. The Carbon Cycle, Water Cycle, etc.); Research Financial Initiatives and Resources to offset costs such as grants and cost savings; Monitor the progress of approved initiatives, identify and address stumbling blocks to their implementation, to ensure that sustainability benefits, are achieved in a reasonable time frame. Identify, make recommendations with regards to goals, criteria, strategies, Green Building Standards for the City for Green Building Designs, including Energy and Water Efficient Construction, Consistent with the standards propounded by the Florida Building Code, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the U.S. Green Building council (USGBC), other leading groups setting forth standards on Economic Sustainability; Educate and engage the Public in efforts to make the City of Hallandale Beach, including residents, businesses, institutions, more sustainable and resilient. Assist with reviewing and updating the City’s Flood Plan Management, Hazard Mitigation Plan and other related plans. Three Islands Safe Neighborhood District Advisory Board - 1 Vacancy: The Board reviews, in an Advisory Capacity, in Public session, with City Representatives, a Safe Neighborhood Improvement Plan, District Budget and Improvements, District By-laws and related matters, for consideration and Approval of the Board of Directors. Consult with City Representatives, at least once per year regarding the Safe Neighborhood Plan for the District, the District Budget, Improvements and Related Matters. Prepare an annual report on the District’s activities, within a time specified by the Board of Directors. In fulfillment of duties, request City Manager Assistance through the Board of Directors. Prepare a written report for the Board of Directors, regarding all proceedings on Advisory Council Meetings. Unsafe Structure Board - 1 Vacancy: The Board Hears and Determines Appeals from Actions and Decisions of the Building Officials, Hears and Reviews, Applications from the Building Officials, where a Decision of a Notice of Violation has not been brought into Compliance. Should you wish to serve on any of the Boards Listed and/or the Committees, please complete the Boards and Committees Application for consideration of an appointment and forward the completed application to the City Clerk’s office, you can apply on-line at: https://www.cohb.org/DocumentCenter/View/26358/Boards-and-Committees-Member-Application-Form_May-2021 Or you can contact the City Clerk’s Office for more information, at: (954) 457-1340. Certain prerequisites apply, for a complete list of requirements, visit: https://hallandalebeachfl.gov/1216/Advisory-Boards-Committees Appointed Members’ Duties will conclude on the date of the City Commission’s Organizational Meeting, following an election, typically, in late November. < Previous News Next News >

Who Owns America? Oligarchs Have Bought Up The American Dream By John & Nisha Whitehead August 23, 2024 Share “The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don’t. You have no choice. You have owners. They own you. They own everything. They own all the important land. They own and control the corporations. They’ve long since bought and paid for the Senate, the Congress, the State Houses, the City Halls. They got the judges in their back pockets and they own all the big media companies, so they control just about all of the news and information you get to hear… They spend billions of dollars every year lobbying. Lobbying to get what they want. Well, we know what they want. They want more for themselves and less for everybody else... It’s called the American Dream, 'cause you have to be asleep to believe it.” — George Carlin Who owns America? Is it the government? The politicians? The corporations? The foreign investors? The American people? While the Deep State keeps the nation divided and distracted by a presidential election whose outcome is foregone (the police state’s stranglehold on power will ensure the continuation of endless wars and out-of-control spending, while disregarding the citizenry’s fundamental rights and the rule of law), America is literally being bought and sold right out from under us. Consider the facts. We’re losing more and more of our land every year to corporations and foreign interests. Foreign ownership of U.S. Agricultural Land has increased by 66% since 2010. In 2021, it was reported that foreign investors owned approximately 40 million acres of U.S. Agricultural Land, which is more than the entire state of Iowa. By 2022 that number had grown to 43.4 million acres. The rate at which U.S. Farmland is being bought up by foreign interests grew by 2.2 million acres per year from 2015 to 2021. The number of U.S. farm acres owned by foreign entities grew more than 8% (3.4 million acres) in 2022. We’re losing more and more of our businesses every year to foreign corporations and interests. Although China owns a small fraction of Foreign-Owned U.S. Land at 380,000 acres (less than the state of Rhode Island), Chinese companies and investors are also buying up major food companies, commercial and residential real estate, and other businesses. As RetailWire explains, “Currently, many brands started by early American pioneers now wave international flags. This revolution is a direct result of globalization.” The growing list of once-notable American brands that have been sold to foreign corporations includes: U.S. Steel (now Japanese-owned); General Electric (Chinese-owned); Budweiser (Belgium); Burger King (Canada); 7-Eleven (Japan); Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge (Netherlands); and IBM (China). We’re digging ourselves deeper and deeper into debt, both as a nation and as a populace. Basically, the U.S. Government is funding its existence with a credit card, spending money it doesn’t have on programs it can’t afford. The bulk of that debt has been amassed over the past two decades, thanks in large part to the fiscal shenanigans of four presidents, 10 sessions of Congress and two wars. The national debt (the amount the federal government has borrowed over the years and must pay back) is more than $34 trillion and will grow another $19 trillion by 2033. Foreign ownership makes up 29% of the U.S. debt held by the public. Of that amount, reports the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, “52 percent was held by private foreign investors while foreign governments held the remaining 48 percent.” The Fourth Estate has been taken over by media conglomerates that prioritize profit over principle. Independent news agencies, which were supposed to act as bulwarks against government propaganda, have been subsumed by a global corporate takeover of newspapers, television and radio. Consequently, a handful of corporations now control most of the media industry and, thus, the information dished out to the public. Likewise, with Facebook and Google having appointed themselves the arbiters of disinformation, we now find ourselves grappling with new levels of corporate censorship by entities with a history of colluding with the government to keep the citizenry mindless, muzzled and in the dark. Most critically of all, however, the U.S. Government, long ago sold to the highest bidders, has become little more than a shell company, a front for corporate interests. Nowhere is this state of affairs more evident than in the manufactured spectacle that is the presidential election. As for members of Congress, long before they’re elected, they are trained to dance to the tune of their wealthy benefactors, so much so that they spend two-thirds of their time in office raising money. As Reuters reports, “It also means that lawmakers often spend more time listening to the concerns of the wealthy than anyone else.” In the oligarchy that is the American police state, it clearly doesn’t matter who wins the White House, because they all work for the same boss: a Corporate State that has gone global. So much for living the American dream. “We The People” have become the new, permanent underclass in America. We’re being forced to shell out money for endless wars that are bleeding us dry; money for surveillance systems to track our movements; money to further militarize our already militarized police; money to allow the government to raid our homes and bank accounts; money to fund schools where our kids learn nothing about freedom and everything about how to comply; and on and on. This is no way of life. It’s tempting to say that there’s little we can do about it, except that’s not quite accurate. There are a few things we can do (demand transparency, reject cronyism and graft, insist on fair pricing and honest accounting methods, call a halt to incentive-driven government programs that prioritize profits over people), but it will require that “we the people” stop playing politics and stand united against the politicians and corporate interests who have turned our government and economy into a pay-to-play exercise in fascism. Unfortunately, we’ve become so invested in identity politics that label us based on our political leanings that we’ve lost sight of the one label that unites us: we’re all Americans. The powers-that-be want us to adopt an “us versus them” mindset that keeps us powerless and divided. Yet as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the only “us versus them” that matters is “We The People” against the Deep State. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

Easy Ways To Say "I Love You" Fri Feb 03 2023 17:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hollyweird Halloween: Downtown Hollywood Block Party And Park Reaccreditation October 27, 2022 Share Join in the fun for the Hollyweird Halloween Block Party in Downtown Hollywood this Saturday, October 29th, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. for costume contests, live music and specials all night long! Family Friendly Fun is from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and features candy and treat stations, face painting, bounce houses, costume contests and prizes, DJ and fun for all! Dress to impress, there will be costume contests with cash prizes, outdoor bars and live bands! With thousands watching and hundreds participating, the kids costume contest has always been a major attraction at Hollyweird. The Kids’ Costume Contest stage is located on 20th Avenue, next to Anniversary Park, inside The Kids' Zone, there will even be a kid friendly DJ at the Kids Stage. The Kids’ Costume Contest Schedule is as follows: Ages 0-3: 7:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Ages 4-7: 7:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Ages 8-11: 7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Ages 12-14: 7:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Ages 15-17: 8:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. and Family / Group: 8:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Parking Downtown Hollywood offers on-street metered parking for $1.50 per hour, as well as Municipal Garage Parking for $1 per hour. Municipal Garage locations are: 251 South 20th Avenue (between Harrison Street and Van Buren Street) and 251 North 19th Avenue Municipal Garage (between Tyler Street & Polk Street). Rideshare and carpooling are strongly encouraged. For more information visit: https://www.hollyweirdfestival.com/ Or visit: www.hollywoodfl.org to check the events calendar for all of the Halloween events happening in Hollywood. City of Hollywood Achieves Reaccreditation Congratulations to Hollywood’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (PRCA) staff on their recent reaccreditation by the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The department has been CAPRA accredited every 5-years since 2010. National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 154 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community. Standards include having a Parks Master Plan, ADA Transition Plan, Risk Management Policy and more. There are currently only 197 Accredited Parks and Recreation Agencies in the United States and Hollywood is proudly only one of 26 in the State of Florida. For more information about the accreditation, visit: https://www.nrpa.org/certification/accreditation/CAPRA/. Check out www.hollywoodfl.org and find out about all of the amenities, programs and events that Hollywood parks have to offer. < Previous News Next News >

Healthy Holidays: Take Preventative Measures and Stay Prepared Family Features November 25, 2021 Share Be mindful of spreading germs. If you do get sick, you can take steps to protect your loved ones During this year's holidays, many families are looking forward to celebrating a closer-to-normal season. However, that means staying healthy and keeping all kinds of germs at bay, including seasonal Cold and Flu Bugs. "With life getting back to normal, we are expecting a more severe Cold and Flu Season than we encountered last year," said Dr. Jennifer Caudle, family physician. "It's important to both take preventative measures and stay prepared for keeping symptoms at bay. I recommend looking for over-the-counter medicines with active ingredients like Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin, which help relieve both Cough and Chest Congestion." Practice good hygiene. Washing your hands has become a common refrain throughout the Pandemic because it's a simple and effective way to keep germs away, whether they're of the Global Pandemic Variety or a Common Cold. As you're out shopping and mingling this holiday season, you're likely to come into contact with more germ-laden surfaces than usual. Shopping carts, doors and public restrooms are major culprits, so carry sanitizer and be sure to give your hands a thorough wash when you get home. Treat symptoms. While addressing the symptoms of an illness won't necessarily make it go away, it can ease your discomfort while it runs its course. An option like Mucinex 12 HR Extended Release Tablets provides relief by helping to thin and loosen Mucus to relieve Chest Congestion. The Tablets are also available in a DM Formula, which provides relief for both Wet and Dry Coughs. Protect your Immune System. A healthy Immune System helps your body fight off germs so you don't get sick, or if you do come down with a Cold or the Flu, you may have a milder, shorter illness. Getting plenty of rest, staying well hydrated, eating well-balanced, nutrient-rich meals and getting plenty of regular physical activity can all help keep your body in good condition to fight off seasonal germs. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked. There's hardly anything worse than waking in the middle of the night with a Cough or Sinus trouble and discovering your medicine cabinet is empty. Be proactive by restocking on Over-The-Counter Basics to help keep your symptoms in check. It's also a good idea to check the expiration dates of any medications you do have on hand and replace anything that is out of date. Be mindful of spreading germs. If you do get sick, you can take steps to protect your loved ones. If possible, stay home until your symptoms have passed and you're less likely to be contagious. Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneezing into your elbow if you don't have a tissue, can be effective in preventing the spread of germs. Know when to consult a doctor. In most cases, minor cold symptoms don't require a visit to the doctor (unless you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and need to arrange for testing). However, if symptoms don't resolve within a week, grow worse in a short period of time or aren't responding to over-the-counter medicines to ease your symptoms, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor or at least speak with a triage nurse for advice. More and more people are going to be traveling, visiting family and friends this holiday season, so treat your symptoms. Our risk level will be higher this time of year as we are shopping and mingling this holiday season. If you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19, GET TESTED! Here are the websites for locations in Broward and Miami-Dade County. Broward: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/pages/collection-sites.aspx Miami-Dade: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/testing-locations.page The best way to enjoy the holidays is to be safe, prepared and healthy. < Previous News Next News >

A Doctor’s Odyssey Of Self-Discovery: Genuine Solutions That Combat Unhappiness December 20, 2023 Share Despite a stellar career marked by groundbreaking achievements, Dr. Ski Chilton, a Distinguished Scientist, grappled with Persistent Negative Emotions, Unpredictable Reactions, broken relationships and Deep Depression. His quest for understanding propelled him into the science and philosophy of Free Will, questioning if humans (or he) truly possessed it. In his 2016 book, The Rewired Brain, he explored scientific literature that illustrated the existence of two rival minds, emphasizing the dominant influence of the unconscious mind — a factor he identified as the root cause of much of his own suffering and the overarching distress felt by humanity. Yet, this realization was not the full answer he sought. Then a Sunday morning violent encounter with an untamed Arabian horse nearly cost him his life. From his new vantage point in a wheelchair, the Internationally Acclaimed Biochemist shifted his focus from the purely Scientific to the deeply Spiritual, immersing himself in mindfulness and meditation practices. This journey not only facilitated his physical recovery but also ushered in a profound spiritual enlightenment he never saw coming. In his new, Amazon #1 Best Seller, There is Another Way to Happiness: The Four Step CAST Process that Will Transform Your Life, Chilton presents a rare blend of Science, mindfulness and spirituality to walk readers through the four, overlapping steps that helped him overcome his own cycle of Fear, Anxiety and Self-Doubt, and led to his total transformation. “It has taken me almost 60 years of life to discover that there is another way to happiness,” Chilton said. “That I have within me at any moment boundless access to a place of conscious awareness and stillness where my true self, freedom and peace reside.” In his book, Chilton traces his personal odyssey, from fame and money obsessed egoist to fully awakened Observer of the expanses of conscious living — a journey that ultimately culminated in the creation of his CAST Process, a daily life framework encompassing four vital stages: Consciousness, Awareness, Surrender and Trust. “Finding this place has been my spiritual awakening after spending my life battling insecurities, building a toxic and false egoic self, and searching for the worth that clearly wasn’t found in my accomplishments,” Chilton said. “And that’s what I want others to embrace through reading my book.” As readers embark on their own journeys and engage in the book’s 13-week meditation/ reflection practices, they can: • Rewire destructive thought patterns • Deepen their self-awareness, peeling back the layers of their being to discover innate happiness within • Let go of ego, fear and the illusion of control • Embrace life's unknowables, including the ultimate mystery of death • Profoundly connect and co-create with the creative intelligence of the universe “Prepare to awaken to an entirely new existence,” Chilton added. “There is Another Way to Happiness beckons you to step into a beautiful, transcendent path of living.” About The Author Dr. Ski Chilton is a Distinguished Innovator, Academic and Entrepreneur. With a prolific record of over 160 Scientific Publications and 15 Patents, he has founded four companies and a nonprofit. He has been at the forefront of personalized Nutrition and Wellness, earning widespread recognition in both Academia and industry for his trailblazing contributions. In addition to his academic publications, Chilton has authored five lay books on Physical and Mental Health. Particularly notable among these are Inflammation Nation, which foresaw the Inflammation Epidemic, and The Rewired Brain, which focused on the profound influence of the unconscious mind. His Philanthropic Efforts in Africa span over two decades. He is the Founder and President of the Not-For-Profit Organization Heroes Helping Heroes. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for 12 years, including six years as Chairman, of The Persecution Project Foundation. Heroes Helping Heroes is committed to providing Mentoring, Health, and Wellness Solutions to Orphans and Foster Children in both the United States and Africa. The Persecution Project Foundation focuses on offering: Crisis Relief, Education and hope to Victims of Civil War, Genocide and Religious Persecution in Sudan. Recently, he became an Executive Director of the World Shoe Fund, an organization committed to offering shoes as a cornerstone for both Spiritual and Physical Well-Being, inspiring hope in children. Chilton has won numerous awards for this work, including the Alumni Award for Academic and Professional Achievement from Western Carolina University, and the Established Investigator Award from Wake Forest School of Medicine. More recently, the University of Arizona honored him with both the Outstanding Research Impact Award and the Inventor Of The Year Award. He was also recently inducted into the prestigious National Academy Of Inventors. To learn more, please visit: www.anotherwaytohappiness.com - Or follow the author on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube at: @anotherwaytohappiness; and on Facebook at: Dr. Ski Chilton. Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLYVT5QM/ < Previous News Next News >